Average monthly wages of musicians, singers and composers in Norway 2016-2024

In the first quarter of 2024, the average monthly income of Norwegian musicians was at its highest recorded of 55,590 Norwegian kroner. By the end of the first half of 2020, presumably due to the coronavirus outbreak, the salary of musicians decreased by about 3,000 kroner compared to the beginning of the year. The average monthly wage amounted to 45,820 kroner in the second quarter. The income loss was most significant among women, as they earned more than 4,000 kroner less than the previous quarter. However, in the second quarter of 2022, the salary reached the same level as it was before the pandemic.

Considerable revenue loss for the Norwegian cultural sector

The impact of the pandemic was particularly high for the cultural sector in Norway. A study from April 2020 found that the revenue in total was expected to decline by 36 percent. The music industry even forecast a revenue loss of 50 percent. According to another survey conducted in May, most freelancers and sole proprietorships in the Norwegian music industry lost up to 50,000 kroner. Furthermore, nearly a quarter of respondents stated an income loss of over 100,000 kroner.

The fear of losing the job

Because of the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak, it became more and more difficult for people working in the music industry to get assignments and jobs. Especially, employees at venues in Norway were worried about not being able to continue working with music after the crisis is over. To give an example, one third of technicians at live events were concerned about losing their job. By comparison, record labels appeared to be less affected, with 24 percent of respondents fearing unemployment.